‘Dr. Who’ and ‘Torchwood’ fans will be sad

The printed schedule for Comic-Con International here in San Diego will tell you that Russell T. Davies, the Welsh writer and producer behind "Dr. Who" and "Torchwood" will be on a panel today, but I spoke with the BBC contingent last night and Davies never got on the plane in Cardiff.

"He’s working on ‘Torchwood,’ he just couldn’t get leave at this time," one member of the BBC team told me. "We know people are going to be disappointed." That’s absolutely the case, but the panel, which I’m moderating at noon in Ballroom 20, will still have some star power with John Barrowmen (on the left in the photo), Gareth David-Lloyd and others. And, if Davies has his own TARDIS, maybe he’ll show up and surprise us all.

– Geoff Boucher

Photo of John Barrowman, left, with guest star James Marsters on "Torchwood" by Todd Anthony  BBC Worldwide